SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOAL (SDG) 13: CLIMATE ACTION REPORT FOR THE YEAR 2023
- Post by: bankole
- November 6, 2024
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Activity 1
SDG 13 Minutes of Leadership Meeting held on the 18th December 2023
The meeting started with an opening prayer said by the coordinator of SDG 13, Dr. R.C Okocha at 2:15 pm. The welcome address was also given by him. He thanked God for the privilege to serve, Dr. Okocha further emphasized the focus of the group and urged the leaders to work assiduously to achieve the objectives of SDG 13. He reinforced the need to target indicators and metrics of SDG 13 to achieve the objectives of the group. Engr. Olaseinde the Assistant coordinator corroborated what Dr. Okocha that as members of this group, we should study the indicators and work specifically on each of them to meet the objectives of SDG 13.
SDG 13 coordinator said the meeting was called to discuss what we can do to meet SDG 13 indicators, he said he looking at metrics 13.2 (low carbon energy use) and 13.3 (environmental education). He therefore concluded that the assistant coordinator and secretary should study these two metrics during the holiday.
The meeting was closed by prayer said by Dr. S.O Solaja (secretary) at 2:41 pm
Activity 2
SDG 13 Minutes of Meeting held on Wednesday 24th January 2024
Agenda of the meeting
Opening prayer
Coordinator’s opening remark
Adoption of the agenda
SDG 13 Metrics and Indicators: A Compass for Research, Community Service and Webinar
AOB
Closing remark
Adjournment
Closing prayer
The meeting started with an opening prayer said by Engr. O. M Abioye at 2:15 pm after which the coordinator gave his opening remarks. He welcomed old and new members and prayed that the Fortune 2024 prophetic declaration would rob off on us all. He however emphasized the need for hard work to achieve fortune in SDG 13.
Members of the team introduced themselves thereafter the agenda of the meeting was adopted by Mrs. A. Oriade and seconded by Dr. K. Obaniyi.
SDG 13 Metrics and Indicators: A Compass for Research, Community Service and Webinar; the coordinator espoused more on the metrics and indicators for scoring SDG 13 such that the team will be guided in its operation and endeavours. He opined that members should choose where they are well-fitted and work. Dr. Adesina suggested that more time should be given to members to study the indicators before choosing the area they would like to work. Engr. D. Olaseinde explained briefly each of the indicators. Members further deliberated on the metrics and indicators and agreed to focus on community service, research, and webinars to be led by Dr. B.T Adesina, Dr. O.T Faloye, and Dr. R.C Okocha respectively.
AOB: The coordinator stressed the need to populate the SDG 13 stand at the IEC. Moreover Engr. Olaseinde said charity begins at home, he said we should produce a policy document on climate action at Landmark University.
Closing remarks; The coordinator commended members for turning up for the meeting and encouraged members present that whenever there is a call for a meeting we should drag other members along.
Adjournment; Dr. B.T Adesina moved the motion for adjournment which was seconded by Dr. C Ben-Enukora.
Closing prayer: The meeting was closed at 3:02 pm by closing prayer by Dr. C Ben-Enukora
Attendance
Dr. R.C Okocha Coordinator
Engr D. Olaseinde Asst. Coordinator
Dr. S.O Solaja Secretary
Dr. B.T Adesina Member
Dr. K.S Obaniyi Member
Dr. C Ben-Enukora Member
Dr. O.T Faloye Member
Engr. O. M Abioye Member
Mrs. O. A. Oriade Member
Absentees with Permission
Dr. A.A Onabote Member
Mr. W. Ayojimi Member
Activity 3
A REPORT ON THE 38TH LUCRID WEBINAR, LANDMARK UNIVERSITY, OMU-ARAN, KWARA STATE
In furtherance to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) as coined by the United Nations, the College of Agricultural Sciences in collaboration with Landmark University SDG 13 (Climate Action), organized a webinar with the theme: ADDRESSING FOOD INSECURITY IN AFRICA THROUGH CLIMATE SMART AGRICULTURE. The webinar which was anchored on SDG 1, SDG 4, SDG 13, SDG 15, and SDG 17 held on the 19th of April, 2023 at the International Exhibition Centre of the University.
The event was anchored by Mr. B.M Falana. To set the pace for the event, an opening prayer was given by the Dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences, Dr. O.O Alabi. The Director, Landmark University Centre for Research, Innovation and Discoveries (DLUCRID), Dr Oluwasogo Dada took the prologue of the webinar while the Team Lead, LMU SDG-13, Dr. R.C. Okocha gave the welcome address. Standing in for the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Charity Aremu, the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof. John Ojediran gave a succinct remark.
It was indeed an insightful presentation as the guest facilitator, Prof. Ndiko Ludidi took to the floor to do justice to the discourse. As an established researcher (NRF rating of C2) with expertise in plant molecular biology, plant physiology and biochemistry, Prof. Ndiko Ludidi’s presentation had a strong bias for crop, and this may not be unconnected with the substantial contribution of the crop subsector the Gross Domestic Product of most countries in the continent. He highlighted the contributory factors to food insecurity in the shades of undernourishment and climate change, to mention but a few. He gave a projected looming situation of drought for Africa in the incoming decades and stated that drastic steps need to be taken to forestall its devastating effect on food security.
Prof. Ndiko Ludidi however was apt to highlight the panaceas to Africa’s doldrum by stating the need for Africa to look more inwards to unravel the potentials untapped in our indigenous crop species, which poses great resilience to climate changes. He further stressed the need for genetic diversity, comparative physiological and biochemical studies as avenues to build resilience.
At the end of the lecture, the guest speaker fielded questions from the participants. This was then followed by a closing remark by Prof. M.O. Bamiro and a vote of thanks by Dr. E.T. Alori. The webinar drew its curtains with a closing prayer by Dr. K.S. Obaniyi and thereafter a group photograph session to mark and celebrate the day.
Activity 4
A REPORT ON THE 41ST LUCRID WEBINAR
The 41st LUCRID webinar with the theme, “Impact of Climate Change on Food Systems: Using Transdisciplinary Science to Drive Mitigation and Adaptation Solutions to Protect and Promote Health “, was held at the University’s International Exhibition Centre (IEC) on Wednesday, 31st May, 2023. The webinar started about 11:15a.m and lasted till 12:41 pm.
Following an opening prayer from the HoD, Agriculture, Dr. E. T. Alori and the University Anthem coordinated by the Centre for Systems and Information Services (CSIS), the 41st LUCRID Webinar series had a fly opening with addresses from the Director LUCRID, Dr A. O. Dada, giving the prologue of the webinar and the Team Lead, SDG 13, Dr. Reuben Okocha gave the address of welcome and encouraged the participants to make the most of the webinar. Afterwards, the Vice Chancellor, Landmark University, Prof Charity O. Aremu in her remarks, gave an insightful presentation on how to use transdisciplinary science to drive mitigation and adaptation of food systems to climate change. She further stressed that the theme of the webinar did not only capture SDG 13, but also SDGs 1, 2 and 12. The Vice Chancellor further stated that climate change is responsible for vagaries in weather and in turn affects food sustainability and as a result must be addressed through interdisciplinary approach.
The guest speaker Prof. Anet Režek Jambrak, a seasoned scholar and researcher, took the floor to speak virtually on the webinar theme, following the reading of her citation by DR. B. S. Fakinle.
Prof. Jambrak commenced the presentation by briefly introducing the University of Zagreb, Croatia and her Faculty (Faculty of Food Science and Biotechnology). She stated that if food losses and waste were to be a country, it would be the 3rd biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions. She stated that it is high time we started thinking of sustainable ways of doing things rather than conventional ways. Also, Prof. Jambrak elucidated on the various interventions, systems, interaction among the systems and outcome on food security and human health.
The presenter further itemized various ways embraced by small and medium enterprises, on one hand, in mitigating the effect of climate change. These include: waste management and recycling, renewable energy and energy efficiency, low carbon product and services, sustainable use of land and forestry, among others. On the other hand, she stated that climate change adaptation can be achieved through climate-resilient production, efficient use of resources, biodiversity conservation, etc. Energy and water conservation, education and upskilling, and climate-smart infrastructure were identified with potential to simultaneously bring about climate change mitigation and adaptation.
Sustainable food cycle encompasses production, processing, distribution, consumption and recycling. Prof. Jambrak showed the vast difference in greenhouse gases that are produced across various food types with beef (beef herd) with the highest carbon footprint and cane sugar as the least.
She further stated that less than 10% of the world’s largest food companies are aiming to reduce their emissions in line with climate science while less than 13% are taking sufficient action to eliminate forced labour. Prof. Anet listed upscaling sustainable practices and phasing out unsustainable practices as the building blocks in the transition pathways towards sustainable climate-resilient food systems.
Prof. Jambrak concluded by saying that strategies on education and preparation of innovative trainings to address the quick change happening in the food industry will contribute to mitigation and adaption of our food systems to climate change.
At the end of the presentation, comments were received from the founder and executive director, Climate Smart Agriculture and Youth Network, Mr. Divine Ntiokam, while the guest presenter responded to questions from the participants. This was then followed by a webinar appraisal by Dr. S. A. Oyekale, a closing remark by Prof. M. O. Bamiro and a vote of thanks by the Dean, College of Agricultural Sciences, Dr. O. O. Olayinka. The webinar drew its curtain at 12:41 pm with a closing prayer by the Head of Programme, Crop and Soil Sciences, Dr. O. T. V. Adebiyi. Thereafter, a group photograph was taken to mark and celebrate the day.
Plate 4. A cross-sectional view of the on site participants
Activity 5
World Environment Day
On June 5, 2023, Landmark University in collaboration with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals commemorated the World Environment Day. The theme of the day was “Operation Keep your Environment Clean.
The activity started with a short meeting at the Senate Building of Landmark University, involving the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Charity Aremu, the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof. John Ojediran, the Director, Landmark University Centre for Research, Innovation and Discoveries (DLUCRID), Dr Oluwasogo Dada, the Team leads for SDG 11 and SDG 13, and some staff of the Physical Planning and Development of Landmark University. The Vice chancellor and the Deputy Vice chancellor, in their remarks, stated the significance of the World Environment Day.
This was then followed by a Community Impact exercise in Omu-aran town in which representatives of the Local Government Authority participated. The exercise involved a sensitization/awareness and environmental cleanup.
Activity 6
Community Sensitization in Two Selected Secondary Schools in Omu-Aran
The College of Agricultural Sciences in conjunction with the Landmark University SDG-13 (Climate Action) with the aim of taking urgent action to combat Climate Change, visited two selected secondary schools, Omuaran High School and Christian Government Secondary School to sensitize the need for tree planting, and the mitigation of risks and impacts of climate change. Some valuable economic trees were donated to the schools for planting.
